13 die in gunfights with police in Mexico

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Armed residents search for criminals in the village of Xaltianguis, Acapulco municipality, on April 2, 2013.

Story highlights

Federal Police killed five in a suspicious convoy in the state of Michoacan

In the town of Apatzingan, a group of residents took fire, and police returned fire

Eight died when the same group, marching in a ceremonial parade, came under fire again

Gunmen in Mexico opened fire on police and civilians Wednesday in two separate incidents, in which at least 13 people died, according to a government statement. One incident was gang related.

Federal Police officers aboard a helicopter spotted a suspicious convoy in the state of Michoacan. The occupants fired at them, the National Safety Commission said. The officers returned fire, killing five people, including an organized crime leader.

Police seized the gunmen's vehicles and found five assault rifles with magazines and other combat paraphernalia, the National Safety Commission said. Mexico has a reputation for strict gun ownership laws.